Graduation date: 1991

This study examined whether the current generation of consumer-grade digital mobile computing technology, so called smartphone technology, is usable to perform and improve field data collection in the context of sustainable forest management. An electronic data acquisition system, based on a handheld smartphone device and desktop geographic information system (GIS), was developed. A proprietary timber cruise application and commercial mapping software were used with the smartphone/desktop GIS to record and process forest stand and geospatial data. Usability testing was carried out to measure workflow efficiency and system performance of the smartphone GIS compared to traditional paper-based methods. The smartphone GIS successfully met performance objectives and significantly increased workflow efficiencies by improving data transfer and processing times over conventional paper methods; however, use of the mobile device resulted in greater data entry errors, increased data collection times, and led to more equipment malfunctions than use of paper recording methods together with a GPS and digital camera. Overall, the prototype electronic data acquisition system was not reliable as a stand-alone solution solely responsible for collecting cruise data, but was found to be well suited for ad-hoc mapping of forest features.

A method for synthesis of polyol from soybean oils has been developed using a two-step continuous route. The method involved epoxidation of soy oils and subsequent hydroxylation to produce polyols. The epoxidation was carried out using biphasic catalytic system (Na2WO4 / H2WO4) with 50 % hydrogen peroxide. The major advantages of this approach are that; the use of biphasic system allows easy separation of the products, does not require any chlorinated solvent (more environment-friendly), can be conducted at room temperature and requires relatively lower catalyst load. The functional groups of soy-polyol were identified using FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. This confirmed complete disappearance of the signature of the C=C double bonds, formation of the epoxy linkage following the epoxidation process, its further disappearance and incorporation of hydroxyl groups after the hydroxylation process. The hydroxyl number, hydroxyl functionality, acid value, iodine value and viscosity of the synthesized polyols were also determined.

A method for synthesis of polyol from soybean oils has been developed using a two-step continuous route. The method involved epoxidation of soy oils and subsequent hydroxylation to produce polyols. The epoxidation was carried out using biphasic catalytic system (Na2WO4 / H2WO4) with 50 % hydrogen peroxide. The major advantages of this approach are that; the use of biphasic system allows easy separation of the products, does not require any chlorinated solvent (more environment-friendly), can be conducted at room temperature and requires relatively lower catalyst load. The functional groups of soy-polyol were identified using FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. This confirmed complete disappearance of the signature of the C=C double bonds, formation of the epoxy linkage following the epoxidation process, its further disappearance and incorporation of hydroxyl groups after the hydroxylation process. The hydroxyl number, hydroxyl functionality, acid value, iodine value and viscosity of the synthesized polyols were also determined.

The economic viability of farming in Saskatchewan is eroding and the future of the industry is becoming uncertain given the current economic state. The combination of low commodity prices, increasing input and transportation costs, ongoing drought conditions, inadequate safety net programs, and environmental concerns resulting from agricultural greenhouse gas emissions has led to this uncertainty. One possible solution for producers to help overcome or at least minimize the negative trends occurring in agriculture, which is proposed, is afforestation of agricultural land. Afforestation not only provides net private benefits of timber income but external benefits, including carbon sequestration, and preservation of native forests, which provides areas for hunting, wildlife viewing, and conservation of land. The economic efficiency of afforestation was examined using a transitional benefit cost framework for both crop and pasture systems. This allowed for both private and social perspectives, along with the opportunity costs, to be included and the economic efficiency of afforestation from each perspective was determined. The potential conversion of agricultural land to afforestation was based solely on economic efficiency and assumed producers demonstrated an economically rational decision making process. The results from the benefit cost analysis indicated that the net private benefits from afforestation were never significant enough to warrant the conversion of either crop or pasture systems to afforestation. The results did however show that the net social benefits from afforestation would warrant the conversion of crop systems to afforestation for a limited number of situations. Crop systems on physically marginal land with a carbon payment of either $22.58 or $33.55 tonne of C would warrant conversion to afforestation, using either a single or infinite rotation. The infinite rotation resulted in a larger allocation of land to afforestation. The role afforestation can play in helping producers diversify and increase income levels is limited. The low price paid for timber and the high costs of establishment for afforestation are the main constraints. In order for afforestation to become economically efficient on a large scale the constraints facing producers needs to be addressed.

The economic viability of farming in Saskatchewan is eroding and the future of the industry is becoming uncertain given the current economic state. The combination of low commodity prices, increasing input and transportation costs, ongoing drought conditions, inadequate safety net programs, and environmental concerns resulting from agricultural greenhouse gas emissions has led to this uncertainty. One possible solution for producers to help overcome or at least minimize the negative trends occurring in agriculture, which is proposed, is afforestation of agricultural land. Afforestation not only provides net private benefits of timber income but external benefits, including carbon sequestration, and preservation of native forests, which provides areas for hunting, wildlife viewing, and conservation of land. The economic efficiency of afforestation was examined using a transitional benefit cost framework for both crop and pasture systems. This allowed for both private and social perspectives, along with the opportunity costs, to be included and the economic efficiency of afforestation from each perspective was determined. The potential conversion of agricultural land to afforestation was based solely on economic efficiency and assumed producers demonstrated an economically rational decision making process. The results from the benefit cost analysis indicated that the net private benefits from afforestation were never significant enough to warrant the conversion of either crop or pasture systems to afforestation. The results did however show that the net social benefits from afforestation would warrant the conversion of crop systems to afforestation for a limited number of situations. Crop systems on physically marginal land with a carbon payment of either $22.58 or $33.55 tonne of C would warrant conversion to afforestation, using either a single or infinite rotation. The infinite rotation resulted in a larger allocation of land to afforestation. The role afforestation can play in helping producers diversify and increase income levels is limited. The low price paid for timber and the high costs of establishment for afforestation are the main constraints. In order for afforestation to become economically efficient on a large scale the constraints facing producers needs to be addressed.

This study investigates impacts on Western Canadas rural communities that may result from land usage change from conventional agriculture to that of forestry, in part or in whole. Many of Western Canadas rural communities in the agriculture regions near the tree line have developed around cash crops (cereal/oilseeds) and livestock production. Through the Government of Canadas commitments to achieve targeted greenhouse gas emission levels, a market may develop where landowners will be adequately compensated to initiate a switch from conventional agriculture to that of forestry. This study finds that forestry and agricultural regions have over time developed different business structures to support local industry demands. Because of this, converting land use to forestry from agriculture will likely have a significant impact on the rural communities that serve the local economy. Results also showed that population change is significantly influenced by the percentage of people employed in agricultural and by proximity to larger urban centres.

This study investigates impacts on Western Canadas rural communities that may result from land usage change from conventional agriculture to that of forestry, in part or in whole. Many of Western Canadas rural communities in the agriculture regions near the tree line have developed around cash crops (cereal/oilseeds) and livestock production. Through the Government of Canadas commitments to achieve targeted greenhouse gas emission levels, a market may develop where landowners will be adequately compensated to initiate a switch from conventional agriculture to that of forestry. This study finds that forestry and agricultural regions have over time developed different business structures to support local industry demands. Because of this, converting land use to forestry from agriculture will likely have a significant impact on the rural communities that serve the local economy. Results also showed that population change is significantly influenced by the percentage of people employed in agricultural and by proximity to larger urban centres.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 137-143).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2009. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 70-06, Section: B, page: 3273. Adviser: Edward J. Heske. Includes bibliographical references. Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.